Established at Springfield in the summer of 1937 to offer service connecting that western Massachusetts community with Newark (serving New York City). A pair of Stinson Model A Tri-Motors are acquired from Pennsylvania-Central Airlines and revenue flights are inaugurated on October 4, via Hartford, New Haven, and Bridgeport.
Passengers travelling east can connect at Springfield with the direct Boston service (opened the same day) of Mayflower Airlines. Despite the use of “commutation” fares that allow customers to fly at rates being charged by the railroads, the route does not generate sufficient traffic to achieve or maintain viability.
As a result, the company suspends operations in October 1939. The route authority is acquired by Northeast Airlines on June 12, 1944.
AIRLINE OF THE AMERICAS: United States (1992-1993). This new passenger charter operator is established at Smyrna, Tennessee, in the spring of 1992 to offer flights to destinations throughout the eastern U. S., the Caribbean, and to Mexico. Employing a pair of reengined Boeing 727-225As formerly operated by Pan American World Airways (1), the company inaugurates revenue services on June 6. A total of
27,000 passengers are flown by December 31.
In 1993, President C. P. Caudle oversees a workforce of 100 and acquires two more B-727-221s. Later in the year, the carrier is renamed Ultrair.
AIRLINE OF THE MARSHALL ISLANDS (AMI): United States (1980-1989). Created at Majuro in the Marshall Islands, part of the U. S. Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, in 1980, Airline of the Marshall Islands (AMI) undertakes scheduled passenger and cargo commuter flights between the area’s 20-plus atolls. The service is initially provided under contract by Air Tungaru. The most important route is a weekday nonstop flight between Majuro and Kwajalein with other local services flown out of those two major islands.
Operations continue apace in 1981 and 1982. By 1983, the fleet comprises 1 BAe 748-2B and 2 GAF Nomads and enplanements total 12,461. Profits total $1 million (operating) and $438,303 (net).
The workforce is decreased 4.3% in 1984 to 44; however, orders are placed for 2 Dornier 228-200s.
Passenger boardings accelerate 9.6% to 13,784 while freight is up 14.2% to 56,000 pounds. Revenues dip 6.2% to $1.8 million, while expenses swell 23.1% to $1.1 million. As a result, gains are reduced to $662,152 (operating) and $95,178 (net).
The two Dorniers arrive in 1985. Enplanements in 1986 total 20,623 and an operating profit of $142,540 is generated.
Four new employees are appointed in 1987 and the fleet now includes the 2 Dorniers and 1 BAe 748-2B.
Passenger boardings climb 5.4% to 21,800 and revenues ascend by 34.4% to $1.25 million. The operating profit grows to $238,155.
The workforce is increased by 17.9% in 1988 to 92 and the fleet remains the same.
Customer bookings swell 15.9% to 33,500 and freight is up by 33.3% to 21,000 FTKs. Revenues jump 50% to $3.6 million, but expenses surge 52% to produce a $200,000 operating loss.
Upon independence of the Marshall Islands in 1989, the carrier is renamed Air Marshall Islands and is designated as the national flag carrier for the government of Tuvalu.
World History
